Link: Apply now for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card
I picked up the Alaska Business Visa card (review) late in 2022, and was instantly approved. Not only does this card offer a solid welcome bonus, but it can also be worth holding onto in the long run. In this post I wanted to talk about my experience getting approved for the card, for others who might be considering applying.
In this post:
Alaska Business Welcome Bonus
The Alaska Business Visa card offers a solid two-part welcome bonus. After spending $3,000 within the first 90 days you can earn:
- 50,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles
- An Alaska companion fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23)
This is an excellent bonus — I value Alaska miles at 1.7 cents each, meaning the miles are worth $850 to me. That doesn’t even account for the value of the Alaska companion fare.
As an example, 70,000 Mileage Plan miles would be more than enough for a one-way first or business class ticket from the United States to Asia in Cathay Pacific or Japan Airlines first class. There are plenty of other great uses of Alaska Mileage Plan miles.
Even beyond the bonus, the card can be worth holding onto for the benefits, ranging from the ability to earn an Alaska companion fare with spending, to priority boarding, to a first checked bag free, to savings on inflight purchases, and more.
For what it’s worth, the card’s annual fee starts at $95 — you pay $70 for the company, plus $25 for each user.
Alaska Business Visa Card application restrictions
Credit card issuers have different rules when it comes to getting approved for cards. While Bank of America doesn’t publish much about the rules related to Alaska Business Visa Card applications, anecdotally, this card has some of the more lenient policies out there.
Based on all the data points I’ve seen, as well as my own experience, you can pick up this card (including earning the bonus) even if you’ve had this exact card in the past. Many even report being able to pick up a second card (including earning the bonus) if they have it already. This is in contrast to the personal version of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, (review) which has much stricter approval rules. The card does also have an excellent bonus, though, and there are lots of reasons to consider it.
Beyond the lax restrictions on the business version of the card, it also appears that lots of people are getting instantly approved, so it seems to be one of the easier business cards to get approved for.
Note that you can even apply for this card if you have a sole proprietorship, in which case you’d want to put your Social Security Number in the space that asks for your federal tax ID.
My experience applying for the Alaska Business Visa Card
When I applied for the Alaska Business Visa card, the card application was a single page, and was straightforward.
The first part of the application was dedicated to business information, while the second part was dedicated to personal information.
I was delighted to receive instant approval after completing the application — woot!
Bottom line
The Alaska Business Visa Card is currently offering a solid welcome bonus, which could score you some great award travel in first & business class, plus an Alaska companion fare.
I recommend picking up this card if you’re eligible, between the welcome bonus, the relatively easy approval and eligibility, and the great ongoing perks for such a reasonable annual fee card. What’s especially awesome is how you’re potentially eligible for this card even if you’ve had it in the past.
If you’ve applied for the Alaska Business Visa Card, please report back with your experience!
Instantly approved as a sole proprietor, albeit with quite a low credit limit (6.5k). 20-year relationship with B of A and was signed into my account.
This is the only card I was ever denied for. I applied for my well established S Corp and even after providing extra documentation that they requested, I was still rejected without explanation. Never again B of A.
On 10/23, I used the link in your post and it took me to the BoA website to apply for the Alaska CC. After submitting my application, it said under review. I called BoA last week and this week, both times the customer rep said they are unable to locate my application whatsoever. I applied using the SS as a sole proprietor. I am absolutely confused. Has this happened to anyone? could you link have taken me to a fraudulent made-up BoA website? :O
Thanks for this valuable update. Got it this morning for the second time.
Does BofA business may count on CHase 5/24?
Nope.
I am a small business owner with 2 approved business credit cards and yet I am "pending" by Bank Of America. Lucky I know you make your money pushing things but this is almost clickbait how hard you are pushing this. I recommend anyone else steer clear of this, else a hard hit on your credit.
I recommend people not listen to this guy. The Alaska biz is an outstanding bonus, very valuable miles, low AF, anecdotally seems to be looser approval requirements. I just cancelled one a couple of months ago that was less than a year old and got approved instantly. It helps to have an existing relationship with BofA, so this poor sap probably didn't do his research.
On the downside, the sweet spots of CX/JL F seem...
I recommend people not listen to this guy. The Alaska biz is an outstanding bonus, very valuable miles, low AF, anecdotally seems to be looser approval requirements. I just cancelled one a couple of months ago that was less than a year old and got approved instantly. It helps to have an existing relationship with BofA, so this poor sap probably didn't do his research.
On the downside, the sweet spots of CX/JL F seem very hard to come by lately, and are ripe for a nerf.
Thanks for the heads up. I called BOA and showed them the site and referenced some of the comments and they are going to revisit some recent applications. So hope springs eternal.
Also instant approval but only 5K limit, not that I really care LOL
Anyone use a personal SS in lieu of a biz tax ID fora sole proprietorship?
yes I currently have 2 that way from this calendar year. thinking of 3.
@tassojunior thanks for the info!
Why most Alaska Business Flights on Points are combination of Economy & Business, I have a hard time finding a straight Business Flight.
Are you talking about Alaska Airlines Biz or any business redemptions? For Alaska Biz I don't really know, but for others, try searching for redemptions about 1-3 weeks before your departure date. IT IS risky and you have to be super flexible with your date, but they exist.
I am in the process of starting my own business. Since the entity is not yet established, how shall I fill out the blanks regarding entity form, revenue,...etc.?
Sole proprietor, use your SSN, pick whatever business category you want and put an estimate for forward looking annual business revenue, or just say $20k, it doesn't really matter.
I mentioned on another post that I was recently approved for this card but for the 40K/2K promotion. The the increase to the 70K/4K which was about 10 days after I applied yet less then 3 after I received the physical card. I tried my luck with chat and then phone and got the exact same reply: cannot change the welcome offer but feel free to reapply. They both stated they would use the previous...
I mentioned on another post that I was recently approved for this card but for the 40K/2K promotion. The the increase to the 70K/4K which was about 10 days after I applied yet less then 3 after I received the physical card. I tried my luck with chat and then phone and got the exact same reply: cannot change the welcome offer but feel free to reapply. They both stated they would use the previous credit pull. The phone agent went a bit further and suggested to eventually merge the cards.
I figured I had nothing to lose. If successful: 110K Miles, increased CL, 2 companion tickets all on 1 hard pull.
Both were instant approvals. The first was for 5K and the second was 2.5K so, once merged 7.5K for this card, fine with me. And yes, it was a full copy paste of the application. Sole Prop (legit photo/designer). I've had various BOFA accounts since 2008. I think my limits are small due to getting the AirFrance card recently with a CL of 19K.
Also, thanks Ben for your previous support in calling in!
@ colin -- Thanks for the update, that sounds like a pretty great outcome!
at first they denied me the match but then I got a letter saying they would give me the extra 10K. They did. (without requiring the higher spend btw).
BoA email to P2, requesting additional documentation, so as to finish reviewing the application -
"We're excited to help you. Here's what we need:
1) Proof of business ownership or authorization to borrow on behalf of the business (e.g. corporate resolution, organization's meeting minutes, articles of incorporation, articles of organization or certificate of incorporation).
2) Verification of the legal structure of the business. Verification may include Articles of Inc/Articles of Org/Cert of...
BoA email to P2, requesting additional documentation, so as to finish reviewing the application -
"We're excited to help you. Here's what we need:
1) Proof of business ownership or authorization to borrow on behalf of the business (e.g. corporate resolution, organization's meeting minutes, articles of incorporation, articles of organization or certificate of incorporation).
2) Verification of the legal structure of the business. Verification may include Articles of Inc/Articles of Org/Cert of Trade Name/Partnership agreement. For Non-Profit, provide primary mission (U.S or International) & legal classification (e.g. 501(c)(3)).
3) The two most recent accountant prepared, year-end business financial statements/tax returns
4) Your two most recent years of federal personal tax returns with all schedules. If you filed a tax extension, please provide a copy of your most recent W2 forms or, for sole proprietorships, an internally prepared year-end profit and loss statement."
Typical BOA games. I have a Chase and an Amex Biz cards no issues. Like everything in life if it looks to good to be true it probably is.
I got the same. I phoned BoA and they insisted that I send them articles of incorporation for my sole proprietorship (which doesn't exist for sole proprietorships). If I don't send anything, will they eventually approve the card?
currently have business card. just applied for a second one and got instant approval
Hi ATL...did you apply using the same info. used for the 1st business card?
Yes I did.
What I'm wondering is, if you are approved for the card, does that mean you will get the bonus? Or is BofA like Citi: they'll approve you for the card, but may deny the bonus (in this case, because you already have the same card)? Wondering if anyone has any relevant experience on this point.
@ Jance -- The data points I've seen suggest that if you're approved and complete the spending requirement you'll get the bonus, though it's possible there are some situations where that's not the case.
"in review" typical BOA